Society

Afghan Refugees in Iran

The Lowest of the Low

Afghans in Iran constitute one of the largest refugee populations in the world. It was recently reported that thousands have been executed. Iran and Afghanistan are arguing about this. By Iason Athanasiadis
Islam and the West

Plea for Competition between Values

Our dechristianized West is disturbed by the visibility of practising Muslims. Yet, whoever expects the secular state to treat different worldviews equally should not fear competition between value systems, writes Ludwig Ammann
Ghada Abdel Aal and her Book "I Want to Get Married!"

From Anonymous Blogger to Bestselling Author

Initially it was just a blog! Ghada Abdel Aal started writing "I Want to Get Married!" anonymously on the internet. The overwhelming response drew the attention of an Egyptian publisher. And the blog became a book. Susanne Schanda met the writer in Zurich
Minorities in South-Eastern Turkey

Hope Mixed with Resignation

While the Turkish government tries to improve the rights of the country's minorities, there are still conflicts of interest between the Turkish state and Armenians, Arameans and Kurds. By Harald Brandt
Islamic Studies in Germany

Who Has the Final Say on Religious Authority?

In three Germany universities, centres for Islamic studies are to be set up in order to train imams and religion teachers. The content of the Islamic theology must be worked out in cooperation with the Muslim associations, says Avni Altiner
The Moroccan Sociologist Fatema Mernissi

The Prophet and Freedom of the Individual

Moroccan sociologist and writer Fatema Mernissi will celebrate her 70th birthday in October. Martina Sabra went to Rabat and paid a visit to the "grande dame" of the Moroccan democracy movement and of dialogue between East and West
Mesut Özil and Germany

A Football Hero in a National Identity Farce

As playmaker at Real Madrid, and key attack asset on the German national squad, Mesut Özil has matured into a true soccer superstar. And now the unassuming player finds himself at the centre of Germany's ongoing national identity debate. By Lewis Gropp
By Lewis Gropp
Religion in Azerbaijan

Between Tolerance and Repression

The majority of Azerbaijan's population is Shiite - alongside dozens of religious minorities. Even though the country prides itself on its reputation for tolerance, the threat of repression is never far away for practising Muslims. By Klaus Heymach
Synod of Bishops for the Middle East

Arab Christians for Church Reforms

A Vatican Synod of Bishops on the Middle East is currently taking place in Rome. It aims to draw international attention to the difficult situation of Christians in the region. By Mona Naggar
Tidiane N'Diaye's "The Veiled Genocide"

Selective Theses on the Arab Slave Trade

Tidiane N'Diaye accuses Arabs of not acknowledging their responsibility for the slave trade. He demands an explanation, yet sheds very little new light on the situation himself. A review by Moritz Behrendt
By Moritz Behrendt
The Kashmir Conflict

A Clash of Nationalisms and Religions

Violence in Muslim-dominated Kashmir and anti-India protests has recently been flaring up again. The decades-old conflict is based on two factors: claims of nationalism and of religion, says Yoginder Sikand
Interview with Mohamed El-Moctar

Wars over Symbols

The face veil stirs up many controversies – also within the Islamic world. For Mohamed El-Moctar, however, it's a practice that has nothing much to do with Islam. Stephanie Doetzer met him in Doha